Americans Agree: Concealed Carry Works

by
posted on October 21, 2015
gsagi2015_fs-1.jpg (3)
Results from Gallup’s annual crime poll, conducted this month, indicate the majority of people understand a gun in a trained, lawful citizen’s hands makes the world a safer place.

The poll sampled more than 1,000 people in all 50 states who are at least 18 years old. Fifty-six percent responded “safer” when asked, “Suppose more Americans were allowed to carry concealed weapons if they passed a criminal background check and training course. If more Americans carried concealed weapons, would the United States be safer or less safe?”

The number has to come as a shock to much of the mainstream media, which shies away from covering incidents in which a permit holder stops a felon. News of people willing to take charge of their well-being until authorities arrive spreads fast, though. We’ve already covered three of those criminal encounters this month, but another one is too awesome to ignore. A carjacker tried to take a car with children inside, but he didn’t expect someone with a carry permit to intervene and hold him at gunpoint until law enforcement arrived.

Gallup’s results also include a demographic breakdown. Sixty-two percent of men responded “safer” to the question, as did half of the women respondents. Forty-five percent of the females said “less safe.”

When broken down by age, it’s interesting to note the younger generation feels most strongly about the effectiveness of concealed carry. For the group between 18 and 29, inclusive, 66 percent—the study’s highest approval rating—responded “safer.” So much for the rumor that gun ownership and enthusiasm is waning.

Latest

Taurus Tx22 Compact Rifleman Review 1
Taurus Tx22 Compact Rifleman Review 1

Rifleman Review: Taurus TX22 Compact

A downsized version of Taurus USA's TX22 is available, giving folks a smaller, handier version of the full-size TX22 rimfire pistol that's become one of the company's most popular offerings.

New For 2025: Springfield Armory Saint Victor 9 mm Pistol

Recently, Springfield Armory added a large-format pistol variant of its Saint Victor 9 mm carbine, giving enthusiasts a compact PCC that feeds from Colt-pattern magazines.

The Rifleman Report: New Developments

Our official coverage of new products for the current year is set for next month, but we included two substantial new developments in this issue that have the potential to make significant ripples in the firearm business even before then.

Arkansas To Begin Mandatory Gun Safety Lessons In Schools

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed into law requiring public and open enrollment public charter schools to provide age-appropriate firearm safety instruction beginning during the 2025-2026 school year.

Adams Arms Set To Relaunch

Alexandria Pro-Fab, a contract machine shop based in Minnesota, announced that it has purchased the assets of Adams Arms, along with all of the company’s intellectual property, and it plans to relaunch the company in the second quarter of 2025.

I Have This Old Gun: Bayard Auto Pistol

The Herstal, Belgium, firm of Anciens Etablissements Pieper was apparently expecting big things when, in 1908, it named its new semi-automatic pocket pistol “Bayard.”

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.